Hope for Youth’s Family Ties Sibling Diagnostic and Emergency Group Home Program meets the needs of allegedly abused or neglected children, primarily following their removal from home by Child Protective Services (CPS). This program decreases the number of large sibling groups that require separation at the time of placement and the length of stay in care.
As a result of the intensive level of immediate intervention, children have a greater chance of returning home or to a family resource after their initial placement. A decreased level of psychological distress is experienced by not separating the siblings at the time of removal, implementing early intervention, and facilitating visitation.
We work closely with the Court System and referral agencies, such as Child Protective Services, who have removed children from potentially destructive home environments.
Our professional team includes supervision by specially trained child care workers that are on site, 24/7, a pediatric nurse practitioner, licensed clinical psychologists, and board certified child and adolescent psychiatrists. A Masters level social worker and an assistant program manager are on site to oversee the daily operation of the residence.
We consistently aim to:
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Keep siblings together at time of CPS removal
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Maintain continuity in the child’s daily life
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Provide transportation to the home school district
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Decrease the length of stay in care
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Work towards reuniting families, via a return to a parent with services or an identified family resource
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Provide shelter and protection for the alleged abused and neglected in a safe and nurturing setting
The Family Ties Program can house and care for up to 12 children, ages 6 months through 18 years of age. We accept intakes 24 hours per day and offer comprehensive medical and mental health evaluations and recommendations
An Initial Review is conducted within the first 48 hours with the social worker, CPS worker, child, and parents, if appropriate. The Initial Review is designed to identify the immediate needs of the family and establish a service plan to meet those needs.
Medically, children under the age of three are seen by the agency pediatric nurse practitioner or consulting medical provider for a comprehensive physical examination within 12 hours. Children over the age of three are examined within 72 hours.
Children over the age of five are assessed by the agency clinical psychologist and receive a mental health screening with recommendations.
Children are monitored daily by the Masters level social worker, assistant program manager, and child care staff. Recreation is built into the day’s structure. To help maintain continuity, Hope For Youth provides transportation to the child’s home school district.
A Final Review is conducted internally within 21 days to address any progress towards short term goals and permanency.
CPS receives this Final Review report within three weeks of placement which summarizes the child’s placement and includes a psychological screening, medical report, and a psychosocial.
Eligibility:
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Sibling groups referred by Nassau or Suffolk DSS at time of CPS removal or anytime an emergency arises for sibling groups already in foster care
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Sibling groups that are not in the custody of DSS, but are referred by DSS, and children on an individual basis (age 12 and under) that are in need of Preventive Respite
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Sibling groups and children on an individual basis (age 12 and under) through the Nassau or Suffolk Crisis Respite Bed Network
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